Review: Our Top 5 Alpine Packs for 2016

This story originally appeared in the July/August 2016 issue of our print edition.

When moving throughthe high country, weight, or lack thereof, becomes an integral part of an ascent. Stripped down to the essentials, a good alpine pack should be easy to carry, lightweight, big enough for all your gear, and have at least a touch of comfort for big mile days. Additionally, the pack should climb well while kicking steps, swinging sticks, and ascending couloirs. To help you choose the right pack, one that delicately treads the ridge between comfort and agility, our testers thrashed these bags for several months throughout Yosemite, Rocky Mountain National Park, the Beartooth Mountains, the Alps, and beyond to discover how each shined.

Comfortable Carry

How To Pack

Before simply cramming everything you think you might need into a pack, make a checklist of all your gear. The goal is to fit everything possible inside the pack, so nothing is clanging around on the outside, but certain items (rope, helmet, crampons, ice tools) are designed to go on the exterior and might have designated straps or loops. With everything inside, think about the order in which you’ll be using it. Layers (minus your big puffy) should go at the top, as well as water and food. Below that, load any climbing gear you’ll be pulling out at the base, and place bivy gear and that big puffy at the bottom. For the most comfortable carry, have the lightest weight gear at the very bottom (sleeping bag and pad), heaviest items closest to your back (hello, climbing rack!), and midweight stuff at the top (food, water, layers). —Breanna Keller